Web Desk
Dubai: New Zealand Cricket (NZC) Chief Executive David White reiterated that they won’t share specific threat details with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) privately and publicly.
New Zealand were in Pakistan after 18 years but just before the start of first ODI in Rawalpindi, they decided to abandon tour after an escalation in the New Zealand Government threat levels for Pakistan, and advice from NZC security advisors on the ground.
“We appreciate this has been a terribly difficult time for the PCB and wish to pass on our sincere thanks to chief executive Wasim Khan and his team for their professionalism and care,” White said in a statement released by NZC.
White added that they were looking forward to the series but everything changed on Friday.
“What I can say is that we were advised this was a specific and credible threat against the team.
“Everything changed on Friday. The advice changed, the threat level changed and, as a consequence, we took the only responsible course of action possible.”
“Unfortunately, given the advice we’d received, there was no way we could stay in the country.”
He admitted that the board was initially satisfied with security arrangements in Pakistan which is why they sent their team to the country.
On the other hand, New Zealand cricket team arrived in Dubai after leaving Islamabad on a charter flight last night.
The contingent of 34 players and support staff are now settling into their Dubai hotel and undergoing their 24-hour period of self-isolation.
Of this group, 24 will return to New Zealand over the next week or so, as flights and MIQ rooms in New Zealand become available.
The MIQ arrangements initially booked for these squad members at the end of the Pakistan tour will now be cancelled.
Most members will remain in the UAE and join up with the T20 World Cup squad, ahead of that tournament commencing on October 17.
White said he was grateful to the Pakistan Cricket Board for helping organise the safe departure of the New Zealand team.
